New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-04-20
SKETCH OF MR. MITCHELEs LIFE.

SKETCH OF Mr.. MITCHELLS LIFE.
Alexander Mitchell was native OF Scotland. and he
displayed through lilo all the sturdiness THRIFT ana
business capacity mhch have become associated In the
uonular mind with the Scotch nation. lie was born IN
Aberdeen shire on October IS 1917, Mt the farm OF
Mill of Forrie parish OF Ellon He sterted to study
law, but ut early ngs went into the banking Dus-
ness in Aberdeen. A friend. George ]. Smith. how
ever had como TO America, gone TO the Wild North
west and established the Wisconsin Marine and Fire
Insurance Company Bank i'll Milwaukee, as n branch
of his own business in Chicago. Mr. Smith was sew
era wears the senior OF Mite lell, hut he had gooi
opinion OF his friends ability and Induced him to come
to America in 1882 to take petition In the Mhwau
kee bank. Young Mitchell speedily rose from the
various grades OF Office in tn, bank until hc was
chosen its president ard 1t was not long before he had
the control OF practically all the capital stock oil the
institution Iio remained its president up TO WITHIN
two years his death and before he eater ed the rail-
yav business he had acquired handsome fortune
will tho constant growth and development oil the
Northwestern region.
Cautious and conservative, yet quick to see the
chance of an investment that would make prontable
returns later on, President Mitchoii soon made MS
bank one of most powerful institutions oil tue fm
West The concern was started originally 10 90 IA
insurance business but II subsequently entered the
banking field and was Incorporated uuder the name IL
now bears Its original capital was $1,000 and 1t
has never been changed but the surplus has grown to
enormous proportions. All the storms OF financial
panic have been weahered BY it,and It was Mr. hitcn
ella boast that never fa1ei 70 pay us ooH-atV"o "
gold and its stock never suffered "a depreciation.
The stability OF the stock, honevcr. was not unnat-
ural in view OF tho tact that he practically hold the
entire amount and was willing to buy any shares that
were offer ed on the maraet.
II was as a banker and an investor In real estate
that Mr. Mitchell acquired his fortune. Through his
control OF oanable funds his friendship became yalua
bic TO other men who were engaged 10 buiidihg up
railroads but he never was noted Tor AFFINITY IN rai
road affairs IN spite OF his association with tho power
t,,i Nj lNau And NJ. ".
Mitchell iecame n director in the Milwaukee, and
Waukesha Railroad in Isfs. In 1864 he was elected
president OF the st Paul road, which had been formed
by combination OF various independent Wisconsin
lines Russell Sage mainly instrumental IN BRING
ing hin into the 81. Paul Company, Mr. Sage bcng at
that time its vice-president In 1879 MI. sage WAS
succeeded as vice president by julius Wadsworth,
who retained the position up TO about year ago Mr..
Mitchels other railroad service outside Oh the posi-,
tion of director 10 OF the smaller Wisconsin
roads included service director tor several years In
tho Northern Pacific Railroad and bret time when
he was president OF the Chicago aud Northwestern
railway. lie was never prominently ,den,ihed win
tho Northern Pacific however. la 1859 the ieaalng
interests the horthwestern aud tho ST. Paul roads
were working toward a consolidation oil the Two sys.
tens and ON the death OF Henry Keep, president OF
the Northwestern, Mr.. Mitchell was chosen president
He filled the unex red term from September 1, lSOo
to June 2. 1870 The sch me OF consolidation ie
through, however. and Mr.. Mitchell was competed 10
surrender the presidency Of the North wssern road
A "A banker Mr. Mitchell held high reputation.
and tor several years he was president OF the Amer,
can Bankers Association. He frequently delivered
trsstiscs on banking subjects which display en- 90
cidodly scholarly style in politics ne was wing and
subsequently a Republican. but in 1850 he became
supporter OF the Adm nistration OF Andrew johnson
and he acted generally with the emocratc
party lie Was elected to tho House oil Representa-.
tiyrs In Congress in 1870 the Democratic TICKET
and was collected in 1872 serving on the COMMITTEE
ON Banking and Currency. lhis comprised his public
career. .o.o.x ,-..
While he was In Europe in 1870 the Democrats
nominated him against his protest, as Governor OF
WISCONSIN, but he pei empory declined TO rum send
ing this dispatch to the State Central committee
Declinaton absolute will not serve II elected ne
was Jealous supporter Of Mr.. Tilden in 1875. ana
was on the cards that he TO be Secretary OF the
Treasury in case OF Mr.. Tdens success Mr.. Mitchell
was independent. however. IN some OF his poit'ohi
and he lent earnest aid to the reelection OF
Governor Rusk the Republican candidate Tor re-eiee-
ton alter the so. called labor riots III Milwaukee,
In his tastes Mr.. Mitchell showed tho character OF
shrewd hard working business man. He was largely
interested in founding the Milwaukee Club In that
city and instances OF his generous spirit to l'oai
enterprises 1t Is related that when lie asked com
mittee soliciting subscr pons how much they wahteu
him to give to help start the club and the reply was
given that $1,000 would be great help ne 70
sponded: Well put me down or flO,OOo" lie
was aso n member OF the Union League. Union anu
Manhattan Clubs in New York.
MIR. Mitchelrs wife aud his only SON, John L. sur
yiye him. His son has been twice married ana mas
three children. Mr. Mitchells estate IL yarionsl(
estimated but the most competent observers place IL
at less than q TO- 100000